Just a quick thank you to everyone who interacts with my threads about Karen.
Being autistic, I’ve always found the concept of ‘friends’ a bit baffling, and now when I need them most, you find out that people are very much ‘fair-weather’ friends, and even family can’t be bothered to ask how Karen is… which is deeply dispiriting.
But it’s nice to know people here are understanding and in the same boat… not that it’s a boat any of us wish we were in… or is it on… and is it the Titanic??
I’m pretty sure it’s not anything like the Titanic.
I’ve been around for four years and it’s not sunk yet.
It has been a great support and encouragement. It’s members are kind and helpful. We share our ups and downs and realise we are valuable and are not alone.
This place is safe, we commiserate when things aren’t going well, we congratulate when there is success. We discuss what matters to us. It’s a place you can speak out.
Sometimes there are differences of opinion but there is room for that too.
I hope you find the online community to be something useful, valuable and always there, as it has been for me.
I feel that we are here for one another.
This community welcomes you and what you bring to it.
Not the Titanic, more the Yellow Submarine. We are all birds of a feather here, to a degree, I feel that for many, experiencing stroke opens up empathetic pathways, survivors with emotional empathy and carers with cognitive empathy. Of course, this isn’t the case for everyone, survivor or not. My family were at first startled by the news and then, fairly, quickly went back about their business. My sister would be the exception. However, I guess it is quality not quantity in such situations.
I have found the community here to be open and empathetic, but also free enough to challenge and provide tough love if felt needed. So, many injured brains put together must, logically, make some sort of super brain .
You’re welcome, good to hear that you have found this a useful place to be. I’m 9 years post stroke and this is always my go to place. Please keep posting and keeping us up to date with Karen’s progress.
I’m sure your experience will be useful for people just joining our community.
Best wishes to both of you and keep up the good work
It’s good to know some on here can bring you some support. I haven’t been on the Association much lately as still recovering from my hospital acquired pneumonia episode, so things for me have been a little quieter and just hovering in the background. I did read that Karen isnt very happy at the moment with all that is going on. It will be very frustrating for her and she will feel angry, but you are there for her and things will quietly change as time goes on. You are a big comfort and support to her, so please don’t feel hurt. I was always told that those we love always hurt those closest to them. Its because they trust and believe in us to support and encourage them. I know from experience with my mum after her strokes and dementia that she always lashed out at me, but she was a great mum and we were always very close. A friend as well as my mum. Look after yourself, you are doing an amazing job and I hope Karen will eventually come to accept what has happened and understand that possibilities are there to get back as much normality as she can and with you with her, I’m guessing its a road worth travelling together. Take care and I wish you both all the best
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Look after yourself, you are doing an amazing job and I hope Karen will eventually come to accept what has happened and understand that possibilities are there to get back as much normality as she can and with you with her, I’m guessing its a road worth travelling together. Take care and I wish you both all the best